The college baseball season is finally here.
Florida State, led by fourth-year head coach Link Jarrett, begins its 2026 campaign on Friday as they take on James Madison in a three-game set. This is the second-straight year that the Seminoles will open the year against the Dukes, and FSU is 9-0 all-time against JMU.
The infrastructure around the Seminole program will look vastly different in 2026, both the roster and Dick Howser Stadium. Jarrett will need to replace the backbone of an FSU team that
finished one win away from Omaha, as the top two in Florida State’s rotation, middle infield, and center fielder have all moved on to professional baseball. In their place, the Noles have 23 newcomers on their roster, including LHP Trey Beard, a top 10 transfer in on3’s rankings, to try and reload for another deep postseason run.
Even with the roster turnover, expectations are still College World Series or bust in Tallahassee. The Seminoles open the season as the 16th-ranked team on D1 Baseball’s preseason rankings and the 12th-ranked team on The Athletic’s preseason rankings. FSU was selected to finish third in the ACC.
James Madison finished the 2025 season 17-38 and was picked to finish 13th out of 14th in the Sun Belt conference. The Dukes made the NCAA tournament in 2024.
To catch up on Florida State baseball ahead of the new year, check out these pieces from Tomahawk Nation:
Game times, starting pitchers, how to watch/listen:
Friday, February 13th, 6:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU Jr. LHP Wes Mendes (NR) vs. JMU RHP Jr. Griffin Polley
How to watch: ACCNX
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Saturday, February 14th, 2:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU Jr. LHP Trey Beard (NR) vs. JMU r-Sr. LHP Tyler Muscar (NR)
How to watch: ACCNX
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Sunday, February 15th, 1:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU Jr. RHP Bryson Moore (NR) vs. JMU Sr. RHP Patrick Bauer (NR)
How to watch: ACCNX
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Dukes to know:
- Jr. OF Kyle Langley: .247/ .341/.341 in 52 starts in 2025.
- So. IF Reece Moody: .245/.337/.316 with 16 stolen bases in 2025.
- Jr. LHP Max Kuhle: 19 appearances with a 4.02 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 56.0 innings in 2025.
Game 1 recap:
Game 2 recap:
Game 3 recap:
